Multistage parallel-flow pump.



P. w. FULLER.

MULTISTAGE PARALLEL FLOW PUMP.

'LPPLIOATION FILED MAY 31, 1911. 1,071,042. Patented Aug. 26, 1913,

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MULTISTAGE PARALLEL FLOW PUMP. APPLIOATIONIILED 1111131. 1911.

1,071,042. Patented Aug. 26, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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P. W. FULLER.

MULTISTA'GE PARALLEL FLOW PUMP.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 31, 1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

73 75 7g Ill! Patented Aug-26, 1913.

PERCY W. FULLER, 015 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

MULTIS'I'AGE PARALLEL-FLOW PUMP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed Kay 31, 1911. Serial No. 630,414.

Patented Au 26,1913.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, PERCY W. FULLER, a

I citizen of the United States, residing at Bos in which the pumping element is in the form of a tubular member having a straight passage therethrough for the material being pumped, and in which passage the lpropeller blades are carried; and in-which t e prime mover is mounted directly on the rotary pumping element so that the prime mover and the pumping element constitute a unitary structure; and which has other features of improvement, all as will be more fully hereinafter described and then pointed out.

in the appended claims.

My invention can be embodied'in a single stage or multiple stage pump as desired, and in the illustrated embodiments of my invention which I have selected for disclosing the principle thereofa three-stage pump is shown. 1

Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a three-stage pressure pump embod ing my invention; Fig. 2 is an end view 0 one of the pumping elements; Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of a volume pump embodying my invention; Fi 4 is a sectional view showing another em )odiment of'the invention; Fig. 5 is a reduced sectional view on the line m--aa, Fig. 4.

My improved pumping elements are in the form of rotary tubular members provided with an axial bore and having propelling blades rigidly sustained within the bore. Where my invention is embodied in a multistage pump a plurality of such pumping elements will be arranged end to end or in atrial alinement so that the material being pumped will be advanced from one element to the other.

In Fig. 1 I have shown three pumping elements and they are designated 1, 2 and 3,

respectively, each of said elements being in the form of a hollow tubular rotary member. The pumping element 1 has situated within it a central core4 and the propeller blades 5 which have a spiral shape. The core 4 is tapering, said core being smaller at the inlet end 6 than at the discharge end 7, as clearly seen in Figs. 1 and 2. The blades 5 are also arranged with a varying pitch, that is, the pitch of the blades is slightly less at the inlet end than at the discharge end. The pumping element 2 is also provided with a central core 8 and the propeller blades 9, and the core 8 is also tapering, said core at the inlet end 10 of the tube 2 being of substantially the same size as that of the core/l at the outlet end of the tube 1. The core at the outlet end 11 of the tube 2 is larger than at the opposite end. The pumping element 3 is similarly constructed, that is, it is constructed with the central core 12 which increases slightly in diameter from the inlet end 13 of said member to the outlet end 14 thereof and is provided with the spiral pumping blades 15. The spirally-arranged blades 9 and 15 have a varying pitch from one end to the other, each of said blades having a less pitch at the inlet end of the pumping element than at the discharge end thereof. These pumping elements are arranged in alinement axially so as to constitute a straight-way passage of the material from one end of thepump to the other.

The inletend 6 of the pumping element 1 is connected with a suitable suction chamber 16 which is supplied with liquid through the supply pipe 17 and the discharge end of the pumping element 3 communicates with the discharge pipe 18. These pumping elements are independent from each other and are intended to be rotated at different speeds. For instance, the pumping element.

2 will be rotated at a greater speed than the pumping element 1, and the pumping element 3 will be rotated at a still greater speed than the pumping element 2. Any suitable means for rotating these pumping elements may be adopted, but for many reasons I prefor to use a prime mover in the form of an induction motor, partly because of the fact that a motor of this type is easily applied to my form of pump and is very effective in operation. I have, therefore, illustrated in the drawings a prime mover of the induction motor type, and I propose to use a separate prime mover for each pumping element.-

The motor or prime mover for the pumping a rotatable armature 21 which is mounted directly on the pumping element so that the pumping element constitutes in fact the shafting for the armature. In the illus- 1 trated embodiment of my invention the frame supporting the field is provided with the supports 22, 23 which sustain hearing sleeves 26, 27. The armature 21 is shown as provided with the hubs 24, 25'

19 which are rotatably sustained in the bearing sleeves 26, 27. The suction chamber 16 is shown as supported by the bearing sleeve 26. The motor or prime mover for the pumping element 3 comprises the stationary field 28 115 and the rotary armature 29 and the frame of the field carries the supporting members 30 and 31 which sustain the bearing sleeves 32, 33, respectively. The armature 29 has associated therewith the hubs 34, 35 which are 20 rotatably supported in the sleeves 32 and 33, respectively. The discharge pipe 18 is shown as connected to a head 36 which in turn fills the end of and is secured to the bearing sleeve 32.

25 The motor for' the pumping element 2 comprises a stationary field 37 and the rotary armature 38 and the latter has associated therewith the two hubs 39, 40 which are rotatably sustained in the bearing sleeves 27 30 and 33, respectively.

In order to make a tightjoint between the pumping element 1 and the suction chamber 16 I have provided a packing member 41 which is received in an annular chamber 42 35 formed partially in the end of the hub 29 and partially in the wall of the chamber 16. Said packing member is U-shape in. cross section, as shown, so that any leakage be tween the end of the hub 24 and the wall of '40 the suction chamber 16 will fill the U-shaped gle phase or multiple phase, and in operation they will be arranged so that the armature 38 and the armature 29 will rotate faster than the armature 21. The construction shown in Fig. 1 is especially adapted for use as a pressure pump, that is, as a pump to secure high pressure.

In Fig. 3 I have shown an embodiment of myinvention ,in which the pump is especially designed for delivering a large quantity of liquid under a moderate pressure. The principal difference between this embodiment and that shown in Fig. 1 is in the shape of the blades and the passage through the tubular elements. As shown in Fig. 1 the axial bore through the pumping elements is of uniform size, While in Fig. 3 it is of varying size, the bore in each pumping element'being larger in diameter at the delivery end than at the inlet end. Further, the blades and core are of different shape from that shown in Fig. 1. In the first pumping element 1 the core 4 is conical in shape and extends only a slight distance from the discharge end 7 beyond which point there is no core and the-blades 5 merely extend diametrically across the passageway. In the pumping element 2.the core 8 is frustoconical in shape and the blades 9 are spirally arranged with the pitch thereof varying from one end to the other. The core 12 of the pumping element 3 increases indiameter from the inlet end 13 to a point 50 near the out-let end 14 and from there the core decreases in diameter to the end 51, the latter preferablyprojecting beyond the end of the pumping ele: ment 3 and into the conically-shaped discharge port 52. The blades 13 extend the length of the pumping element 3 and are spiral in shape with a varying pitch which increases from the inlet to the outlet end of the pumping element. In this embodiment the various pumping elements are driven at different speeds as described with reference to Fig. 1, the pumping element 2 being driven faster than the pumping element 1, and the pumping element 3 being driven 1 still faster. In other respects, however, the inventionshown in Fig. 3, is similar to that shown in Fig. 1.

In Figs. 4 and 5 I have shown another embodiment of my invention wherein the blades of the pumping elements do not extend the full length thereof and wherein said pumping elements rotate in opposite directions. In said figures I have shown two pumping elements designated generally 1 and 2". Each pumping elementcomprises a tubular member within which is situated the blades. These tubular members are axially alined and are supported for rotation in a suitable frame 60 which supports the field for the induction motors. As'herein shown the two tubular members are sustained partially by a bearing rib 61 formed on the frame and partially by bearings formed at 62 in the frame, the latter being in the nature of ball thrust hearings to reduce friction. The blades in the pumping element 2 are designated 9 and are somewhat similar in shape to the ordinary propeller blades. These blades are rigid with a core or shafting '8" and are also rigidly connected at their tips to the tubular memher 2'. The blades in the umping element 1 aredesignated 5? and they are also somewhat similar in shape to the ordinary propeller blades 9". These blades 5' are rigidly connected at their tips to the tubular member 1 and are rigid with a sleeve 4 which is mounted on the reduced portion 63 of the shafting 8 The sleeve P and shaft-ing 8 are prevented from longitudinal movement relative to each other, but are capable of relative rotary movement. In the present embodiment I accomplish this by securing to the end 63 of the shafting 8" a plurality of disks 64 which are interposed between annular thrust members 65 that are rigidly secured to the sleeve P. These thrust mem: bers are shown as connected by bolts 66 with a plate or head 67 which in turn is rigidly secured to the end of the sleeve 4 The annular thrust members 65 are mounted for rotation in a bearing sleeve 68 which in turn is rigid with the frame 60. This construction connects the sleeve 4 and shafting 8 in such a way that they cannot move longitudinally relative to each other, but are capable of free rotation relative to each other.

The head 69 is formed with one or more inlet ports 70 which are connected with a suitable supply pipe, not shown, and .at the opposite end of the frame is a discharge port 71 leading to the discharge pipe. The pumping element 1 carries an armature or rotor 7 2 which cooperates with a stationary field 73 carried by the frame, and the element 2" carries an armature or rotor 74; which cooperates with a stationary field 75 carried by the frame. The two armatures and fields are so constructed that the pumping elements 1 and 2" will be rotated in opposite directions, one set of blades revolving right-handedly and the other set revolving left-handedly. Owing to the difference in inclination or shape of the blades, however, both sets of blades will serve to advance the material in the same direction. One advantage of this arrangement is that the pumping blades can be run at a less rate of speed and the blade 9 neutralizes the spiral tendency given to the liquid by the blades 5*.

In order to provide tight joint between the meeting'ends of' the pumping elements 1' and 2 I have shown the element 1 as provided with a groove 74 into which a correspondingly-shaped rib 7 5 on the pumping element 2 fits, and the bearing ring 61 is provided with a chamber 7 6 in which is re-.

ceived a U.-shaped packing element 77 as described with reference to Figs. 1 and 3. The fratne 60 and the bearing web 61 are shown as provided with ventilating ports 78 through which air currents are established for the purpose of keeping the motor cool.

While I have shown herein three different forms of parallel flow pump, I do not 'wish to be limited to the constructions illustrated. In every instance, however, the

prime mover is mounted directly on the pumping element and constitutes therewith a unitary structure.

- My pump is very simple in construction as the pumping element and the motor form practically a single unitary structure, the passage for the liquid extending axially through the rotary part of the motor.

Having fully described my invant-ion, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a pump, the combination with a plurality ofseparate pumping elements each comprising a rotary tubular member having an axial bore and a propelling blade situatedwithin the bore and extending the full length thereof, said pumping elements being arranged end to end in axial alinement with the propelling blades in one member meeting those in the adjacent member, of means to rotate said pumping elements at diiferent speeds with the pumping element at the delivery end of the pump having the greatest speed and that at the entering end thereof the least speed.

.2. In a pump, the combination with a plurality of separate pumping elements, each comprising arotary tubular member having an axial bore and a propelling blade situated within the bore and extending the full length thereof. said pumping elements be ing arranged end to end in axial alinem-ent with the propelling blades in one member meeting those in the adjacent member, and a separate prime mover for rotating each pumping element.

3. In a pump, the combination with a plurality of separate pumping elements, each comprising a rotary tubular member having an axial bore and a propelling blade situated within" the bore and extending the full length thereof, said pumping elements being arranged end to end in axial alinement with the propelling blades in one member meeting those in the adjacent member, and a separate prime mover for rotating each pumping element, each prime mover being mounted directly on its pumping element.

4. In a pump, the combination with a rotary tubular member having an axial bore, of a core situated within the bore, the ex terior contour of the core and the interior contour of the bore having such a relation to each other as to provide a space of pro-v gressively decreasing cross sectional area from the entering to the delivery end of the bore, and spiral propelling'blades extending radially from the core to the tubular member, said blades having a progressively-in-. creasing pitch from the entering to the delivery end of said member.

5. In a rotary pump, the combination with a a plurality of pumping elements each comprising a rotary tubular member having an axial bore, a tapering core situated within I prising a rotary tubular member having an axial bore, a tapering core situated within each member, and spiral blades extending radially of the core, said members being arranged end to end and the blades of each member having a progressi ely-increasing pitch from the inlet to the outlet end thereof, the pitch of the blade at the entering end of each member being less than that of the blade at the discharge end of the adjacent member and the diameter of the core at the inlet end of each member being the same as that of the core at the adjacent discharge end of the adjacent member.

7. In a pump, the combination with a plurality of separate pumping elements, each comprising a rotary tubular member having an axial bore and a propelling blade situated within the bore, said pumping elements being arranged end to end in axial alinement, of means to rotate said pumping elements at different speeds with the pumping element at the delivery end having the greatest speed and that at the entering end thereof having the least speed.

8. In a rotary pump, the combination with three separate induction motors, each having a stationary field and a rotary armature provided with an axial bore, said armatures being arranged in axial alinement so that the bores through said armatures constitute a straight passage, of spiral propelling blades arranged in each bore and rigid with the armature, and bearings carried by the two' end motors in which the armatures therefor rotate, the armature for the center motor also being sustained in said bearings.

9. A parallel flow multi-stage pump having a plurality of separate rotary pumping elements each provided with an axial bore, and propelling blades situated within said here, said pumping elements being arranged end to end in axial alinement with the discharge end of one element delivering directly into the intake end of the next adjacent element.

10. A parallel fiow multi-stage pump having a plurality of separate pumping elements, each provided with an axlal bore, spiral propelling blades situated in each bore, each blade having a progresslvely-lncreasing pitch from the entering end of sa1d element to the delivery end thereof, and means to rotate said pumping elements at different speeds with the pumpmg element at the delivery end having the greatest speed and that at the entering end thereof the least speed. 7

In test' nony whereof I have slgned my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

PERCY W. FULLER. Witnesses:

, BERTI-IA F. HEUSER,

THOMAS J. DRUMMOND. 

